a note of thanks and an update from the broken wings founder peter eyvindson

What fun to follow the art auction -- so many thanks to all the contributors and bidders. After hearing yesterday that the cleanup in Haiti has begun, I would like everyone to pause for a moment to reflect on the ripple effect of their participation here.

The UN has hired 30,000 people -- mostly women -- to begin the cleanup of Port au Prince. While it's great to know that so many people are finding work, it's distressing that these workers are paid only $5.00 a day.

For us in the developed world, it's difficult to wrap our heads around the economic realities of Haiti. But looking at this from the perspective of the Haitian worker, this is work that they would not otherwise have. That five dollars, in real terms, means that these women workers are able to feed their children.

So to the bidders: your enthusiasm so far is overwhelming. Every time you add a five dollar pledge to an item, you offer the same impact as a day of employment for a woman in Haiti. A day of food, of shelter, of safety for her children.

And to the donors: think not of the usual dollar value of your creative work. Think of it in terms of how many women you are employing for a day. (We pay our workers more than the UN does, and I wish they would offer more to these hardworking people. But still, this serves to illustrate just how far every bid goes in making a difference.)

Thank you again to everyone for keeping our Haitian friends in your hearts.

Peter Eyvindson

All photos courtesy Renee Dietrich, taken within the past few days as the St. Joseph's kids of Port au Prince settle into temporary housing at the beginning of the rebuild. Safety, smiles, and hope.

buyers' choice: fine art print from the book 'shine' by Haitian artists

This fall, Broken Wings Missions published Shine, written by Peter Eyvindson. The story portrays life on the streets of Port au Prince from the perspective of Didi, a shoeshine boy and Reginald, a one armed child beggar. The illustrations were completed by two young students from St. Joseph’s Community Art Center, which was connected to the now destroyed original home St. Joseph’s.

Walnes Cangas (above, left) joined the St. Joseph’s Family at the age of seven when his family could no longer provide for him. He now provides for his family with his art activities. At an early age, he showed interest and gifts in painting, dancing, drumming and singing. For the past three weeks, Walnes has stayed at the ruins of St. Joseph’s with the hopes of protecting it from looters.

Frandy Jean (above, right) had been painting on his own when, in 2006, Walnes invited him to study with well-known Haitian artist Ralph Allen at the St. Joseph’s Community Art Center. He describes painting as, "Vital to me, like oxygen for my mind." His watercolour portraits are incredibly well rendered with great attention to detail and real emotion. Frandy is discouraged since he lost all of his art in the earthquake.

Peter Eyvindson, founder of Broken Wings Missions and a Canadian children’s author, has dedicated the past twelve years of his life to bettering the lives of children in Haiti through support for St. Joseph’s Family of Homes. Soni’s Mended Wings, his first book dedicated to the well-being of children in Haiti, was first published in 1999. With 36,000 copies sold, a home for disabled children was built called Wings of Hope. Now in ruins, a new printing of Soni’s Mended Wings was published on Friday, January 22, 2010 in order for rebuilding to begin.

All proceeds from items sold on the To Haiti with Love auction go directly to the St. Joseph's Family in Haiti. To make a bid, simply leave a comment with the amount of your bid and your email address. The auction will wrap up on February 8, 2010, and winners will be contacted right away to arrange payment and shipping. Good luck!

One fine art print (buyers' choice) of any illustration from the book Shine as produced by Haitian artists. Also includes an author-signed copy of Shine. (origin: Canada)

Starting bid: $15.00

a complete set of fine art prints by Haitian artists of St. Joseph's, as featured in the book 'shine'

This fall, Broken Wings Missions published Shine, written by Peter Eyvindson. The story portrays life on the streets of Port au Prince from the perspective of Didi, a shoeshine boy and Reginald, a one armed child beggar. The illustrations were completed by two young students from St. Joseph’s Community Art Center, which was connected to the now destroyed original home St. Joseph’s.

Walnes Cangas (above, left) joined the St. Joseph’s Family at the age of seven when his family could no longer provide for him. He now provides for his family with his art activities. At an early age, he showed interest and gifts in painting, dancing, drumming and singing. For the past three weeks, Walnes has stayed at the ruins of St. Joseph’s with the hopes of protecting it from looters.

Frandy Jean (above, right) had been painting on his own when, in 2006, Walnes invited him to study with well-known Haitian artist Ralph Allen at the St. Joseph’s Community Art Center. He describes painting as, "Vital to me, like oxygen for my mind." His watercolour portraits are incredibly well rendered with great attention to detail and real emotion. Frandy is discouraged since he lost all of his art in the earthquake.

Peter Eyvindson, founder of Broken Wings Missions and a Canadian children’s author, has dedicated the past twelve years of his life to bettering the lives of children in Haiti through support for St. Joseph’s Family of Homes. Soni’s Mended Wings, his first book dedicated to the well-being of children in Haiti, was first published in 1999. With 36,000 copies sold, a home for disabled children was built called Wings of Hope. Now in ruins, a new printing of Soni’s Mended Wings was published on Friday, January 22, 2010 in order for rebuilding to begin.

All proceeds from items sold on the To Haiti with Love auction go directly to the St. Joseph's Family in Haiti. To make a bid, simply leave a comment with the amount of your bid and your email address. The auction will wrap up on February 8, 2010, and winners will be contacted right away to arrange payment and shipping. Good luck!

A complete set of fourteen (14) fine art prints of the illustrations by Haitian artists featured in the book Shine. (origin: Canada)

Starting bid: $100.00

'soni's mended wings' and 'shine': a signed set of books featuring haitian stories and art

This fall, Broken Wings Missions published Shine, written by Peter Eyvindson. The story portrays life on the streets of Port au Prince from the perspective of Didi, a shoeshine boy and Reginald, a one armed child beggar. The illustrations were completed by two young students from St. Joseph’s Community Art Center, which was connected to the now destroyed original home St. Joseph’s.

Soni's Mended Wings tells the story of Soni, a physically and mentally challenged child in Haiti spent years confined to his crib until one day some street children took over the operation of his orphanage. These teenagers offered Soni the same hope that they received from living in St. Joseph's Home, a mission designed to rescue boys from the harsh reality of the streets of Port au Prince, Haiti. Soni, now an adult, works as a caregiver at Wings of Hope.

These copies of Soni's Mended Wings and Shine have been signed by both illustrators -- a rare treat.

Walnes Cangas (above, left) joined the St. Joseph’s Family at the age of seven when his family could no longer provide for him. He now provides for his family with his art activities. At an early age, he showed interest and gifts in painting, dancing, drumming and singing. For the past three weeks, Walnes has stayed at the ruins of St. Joseph’s with the hopes of protecting it from looters.

Frandy Jean (above, right) had been painting on his own when, in 2006, Walnes invited him to study with well-known Haitian artist Ralph Allen at the St. Joseph’s Community Art Center. He describes painting as, "Vital to me, like oxygen for my mind." His watercolour portraits are incredibly well rendered with great attention to detail and real emotion. Frandy is discouraged since he lost all of his art in the earthquake.

Peter Eyvindson, founder of Broken Wings Missions and a Canadian children’s author, has dedicated the past twelve years of his life to bettering the lives of children in Haiti through support for St. Joseph’s Family of Homes. Soni’s Mended Wings, his first book dedicated to the well-being of children in Haiti, was first published in 1999. With 36,000 copies sold, a home for disabled children was built called Wings of Hope. Now in ruins, a new printing of Soni’s Mended Wings was published on Friday, January 22, 2010 in order for rebuilding to begin.

All proceeds from items sold on the To Haiti with Love auction go directly to the St. Joseph's Family in Haiti. To make a bid, simply leave a comment with the amount of your bid and your email address. The auction will wrap up on February 8, 2010, and winners will be contacted right away to arrange payment and shipping. Good luck!

A set of signed books (Soni's Mended Wings and Shine) signed by the Haitian illustrators Walnes Cangas and Frandy Jean. (origin: Canada)

Starting bid $20.00